No, silly... then it would be written in spanish!

It's the same as this blog... go to the world wide web and take a right (or a LEFT, in your case. LOL). This blog was set up by the traveler using an existing blog website. Anybody could have done it.

It's very easy to see how a good journalist could become disgruntled at the traveler.

For heaven's sakes, it is just an internet newspaper...chill! I kind of like the website, because it covers the whole county in one place.

jj,

Explain to us then what you meant when you said we should turn Ark City into "little Mexico", and go down and get them and bring them here.

You have a liberal view of immigration policy, a liberal view of gun control, and a liberal view on the presidential race, but you say you aren't liberal?

If it quacks like a duck indeed.

This thread in itself is a great example of why help wanted signs stay in storefront windows up and down Summit St. for months, regardless of how many blacks or hispanics come in and apply.

This thread is a great example of how, regardless of all the arguments here and "opinions" from "questionable sources" [KKK literature? Seriously?], this place will become whatever the leadership wants it to be.

Yes, there is a problem with illegal immigation in this country, but every person of hispanic heritage you meet isn't fresh out of Mexico. Illegal immigration isn't the source of every problem in America, Kansas, or Arkansas City. They aren't all out to get you and... [jeez no!] spray paint your sidewalk! Minorities [blacks, hispanics, women, intellectuals, people with all their teeth... the list really could go on and on] aren't the reason why people don't stay in Arkansas City. They aren't the reason why the town itself is stagnant and seems to REFUSE to grow.

You sit in your home, stuffing your crullers... wait, donuts down your throats, and complain instead of getting out and doing something different. When city officials actually TRY to help and provide advice and explanations, they are SOUNDLY abused [in very tacky ways... ^%$#@.... Seriously?] and from what I can see, most here think it's okay.

Thank heaven that there is only a small percentage of Arkansas City residents who are registered here [though my own private fear tells me that this is truly a representation of the entire city].

Anyway, I'm peech and this is my first post. Probably my last, but hey, ya never know. Nice to meet you. =]

Welcome Peech hope you post somemore, but be very aware that their is some really strong minded people here and think only they are right and no one else has a right their own opinion.

Explain to us then what you meant when you said we should turn Ark City into "little Mexico", and go down and get them and bring them here.
>>>>

it was just an off the cuff idea ... kinda meant as sarcasm really, and it got blown way out of what it was intended to be. I wish you would go read my original post ...
it was about thinking outside the box and trying to come up with ideas.
it was just an idea, thats all it was ..
i dont think i used the term "little mexico" at all.

we do have a worker shortage, so what if we did recruit them to come here ?
would that be so bad?
>>>>



You have a liberal view of immigration policy, a liberal view of gun control, and a liberal view on the presidential race, but you say you aren't liberal?
..................

Maybe somewhat on immigration, though not for illegals .. i dont recall ever even mentioning gun control, .. and i know ive not mentioned the presidential race ...

jj

S23246G wrote:

---

Peech,

Your first post was a little angry. You obviously got exactly what you wanted to get out of our discussion, it's just too bad you didn't read it more thoroughly.

No one said that every hispanic in town was here illegally, and should leave. We are (all, it seems) against ILLEGAL immigration. Nowhere were any other of the minorities you speak of (and I'm not sure why you included women, because they outnumber men in this country) mentioned in a negative manner, except to say that we would like very much if they would at least TRY to assimilate to this country, instead of just coming here like it's a job, and keeping their loyalties to their homeland. It would also go an extremely long way if they would learn the language.

So, Welcome. I'm sure lagonda will be glad to have an ally.

---

I don't know anyone here, so as far as allies, I'd probably do a horrible job as one.  It also helps that I have a short attention span and like to laugh at and deride other people as opposed to arguing with them.

As for my list of minorities, women still earn less than men for the same job, so while there may be slightly more of us than men, women are still treated with the same care and concern as other minorities in this great country of ours.  I wonder why you would think that a minority needs to "assimilate" into the country... ARe minorities and immigrants the same thing to you?  Just like every person of Spanish decent is "hispanic"?  If that's how it works out in your head... *shrug*

If you want to force people who come to America from different countries to learn "the language" then you might want to start lobbying for this country to have a language.  That would be a great starting point.  Seeing as how there is no national language in this country, I don't think that anyone who comes here would be required to learn fluent english [as I assume that's what you're referencing].

I read to page 3 of the discussion, and then realised that there was really nothing I was going to get out of it, save a reinforcement of my pseudo-fear that a majority of the people in this fair city are racist homophobes.

As for seeing my post as angry, you read into it what makes you feel like you've scored a point in a discussion that was never going to happen anyway.  So if it makes you feel justified in actually using KKK literature [ha!] as a discussion point in what you consider to be a debate you've already won, then by all means, let me help you: [makes angry face *_*].

Your "welcome" was as useless as your rhetoric, and I'm intelligent enough to know this: if you're quoting racist diatribe in a serious manner and trying to use it to make a point in a discussion, that if it wasn't hispanic or Mexican people [because, btw, that isn't the same thing... <slowly> all brown ppl aren't hispanic and Mexican, and the words aren't interchangeable</end slow part>] who were being bashed, it would be black people or Asian people or somebody else who isn't as fair skinned and toothless as the people you seem to hold in high regard.

I'm pretty entertained right now, and if there ever comes a moment when I actually become angry, you'll know it because I'll never post here again.  I don't get angry over things that happen on the internet, I do something different:  I turn it off before it ever affects my emotions.  You could try it... or not.

Anyway, yeah, I think it's pretty funny that most people here seem to be uplifting each other in blatant racism that they try to hide by saying "illegal immigrants" when the truth is, you really mean "Mexican."  You really mean "Brown People".  You really mean "Anybody who isn't like me."

If that works for you, then keep working it, but for me, I see right down to what it really is:  Your sheets may be on the bed now [or the windows depending on your neighborhood], but they're still white.

Enjoy your day. =]

you either need to have laws that regulate who and what is allowed in the country or none at all,, if you have none you will not have a country very long
and this has nothing to do with racisim

and the word wetback was a term givin to illegals that swim the Rio Grande to enter the country illegaly, this term is not a racisit term it is a discription, it is NOT a term used to discribe the Hispanic Race
Racist terms deal with race not the actions by them!!!!

There are no KKK members or associations in Arkansas City, or this area for that matter and you know this also!!! your just a anti white racist that wants to bread contempt and plant your sickness on others or convence them that they are like you

I take back my welcome to the Blog to you Peach, your in need of counciling and a possible danger to the community

Yeah, I take back my welcome to peech also. Seems she is just here to cause trouble. Maybe if we all ignore her, she will go away. She obviously has an axe to grind, and is not interested in intelligent debate. I am going to stop responding to her. You are all encouraged to join me.

Greenpiece wrote:

---

you either need to have laws that regulate who and what is allowed in the country or none at all,, if you have none you will not have a country very long
and this has nothing to do with racisim

and the word wetback was a term givin to illegals that swim the Rio Grande to enter the country illegaly, this term is not a racisit term it is a discription, it is NOT a term used to discribe the Hispanic Race
Racist terms deal with race not the actions by them!!!!

There are no KKK members or associations in Arkansas City, or this area for that matter and you know this also!!! your just a anti white racist that wants to bread contempt and plant your sickness on others or convence them that they are like you

I take back my welcome to the Blog to you Peach, your in need of counciling and a possible danger to the community

---

WRONG: FROM A STUDY BY A PROFFESSOR FROM KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY A FEW YEARS (ABOUT 5-7yrs) A STUDY WAS DONE THAT SHOWED THIS COUNTY AND A COUNTY NEXT TO THIS ONE AS THE HOT BED OF kANSAS FOR RECRUITING MOSTLY RACIST GROUPS. AND WHILE THE KKK HAS LOST IT'S ZEAL THEY WERE BEING ABSORB BY OTHER RACIST AND HATE GROUPS. SO THE IDENITY HAS DISAPPEARED THE CAUSE OF SUCH HATE GROUPS IN THIS AREA STILL LIVES ON.
 JUST LAST MONTH IT WAS PUBLISHED THAT IN THE LAST YEAR HATE CRIMES ACROSS AMERICA HAS RISEN BY 8%. JUST SAYING THIS BECAUSE IT IS HARD SOMETIMES TO KNOW WHAT THE PERSON LIVING NEXT TO YOU BELIVES IN  OR WHAT THEY THINK.
OH YEA AT THAT MEETING THE SHERRIF OF THE COUNTY SAID HE HAD GONE OUT AND TALKED TO ONE OF THE HIGHER RANKING PEOPLE IN ONE OF THOSE GROUPS AS HE HAD MOVED HERE FROM TEXAS TO HELP BUILD UP THE CHAPTER INTHIS AREA   

motherof2 wrote:

---

Anyway, yeah, I think it's pretty funny that most people here seem to be uplifting each other in blatant racism that they try to hide by saying "illegal immigrants" when the truth is, you really mean "Mexican." You really mean "Brown People". You really mean "Anybody who isn't like me."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I've already learned that there is no sense "debating" with someone who feels this way. They already have it set in their minds that we hate them all and there is no way of changing their minds. I do not understand it, but it is what it is.

As for the language thing, I do believe that this is the barrier which keeps us segragated. I have worked side by side with many people of many colors who spoke English and gotten along great (even married one). Then, I go to a church where you can cut the tension with a knife. Both sides just sit and glare at each other. You see, we have a church which caters to the Spanish speaking community of Ark City. At first thought, this seems great (even generous of the priest). However, I was sitting in church last Sunday and came to this conclusion. How can we come together as one big Catholic family as long as the language barrier keeps us apart? The Spanish speaking Catholics have their own mass time and attend separate parties and functions. They do not send their kids to the school (ok, there are a small handful who do). We had 34 kids at first communion (2nd graders) last Sunday. 8 of them attend Sacred Heart. 29 of them were not of Mexican descent. All of those who do not attend Sacred Heart were of Mexican descent. The ceremony was bi-linguel so you only understood half of it (no matter which language you spoke), and again their was tension on both sides of the aisle. Now, I know we can not force them to speak English, and I do not want them to quit attending our church, but I just couldn't help but think that it would be nice if we all could communicate, understand and appreciate each other. Is it rude of me to want them to speak English? The church does offer English classes to help. Do they not have to learn the language to become a citizen anyway?

Ok, pick me apart here.

---

It's not about picking someone apart, mo2.  It's about a truthful, honest discussion about skin color and race-relations in Arkansas City. 

Being truthful and honest, I'd have to say that yes I've been decidedly argumentative since I came here for no other reason than to share my opinion that the blatant racism here makes me laugh... and then feel sorry for the lot of you.

But If I have to set that persona down, I'll tell you the real truth is: you people scare me. 

Most of the posts I've seen here are by people so racist and Mexi-phobic [I coined that term on my own], that when someone who comes out and says "Yes there is a problem but it's not about the color of someone's skin or the country they were born in" [which is a smart and correct thing to say], people are actually arguing with me.

Don't house your racism with the blanket of 'illegal immigration' while you're really just talking about Mexicans and Blacks because there aren't many Mexican aliens in Arkansas City anyway.  Most of the people here who are Mexican were born in the U.S. in bilingual homes and choose to honor their Mexican heritage.  Mexican, Spanish, and Hispanic are not interchangeable as labels for Mexican people in this country.  The word Mexican isn't a negative epithet and it's perfectly okay to say it about and to someone who is Mexican.

The truth is most of you probably don't know much about Mexicans except that you are afraid they are going to come here and take over Arkansas City which is a silly, silly fear. 

Again, as I asked in the other thread, what's wrong with setting up a neighborhood watch, run for and by the community?  Instead of expecting the Police to do everything, work with them!  Contact them, let them know you're interested in setting up a neighborhood watch that works!

Everything that happens isn't the result of Blacks or wayward Mexicans who are out to burn down White America and spray paint your garage.  The truth is, kids do cause trouble.  Kids do spraypaint and put graffiti on public and private property.  Kids do think gangs and gangsters are cool sometimes. 

If there was anything for them to do in this town instead of imitate alcoholic parents and parents of friends at their little non-alcoholic "bar" on Summit St., I'm sure there'd be a definite drop in instances of problems that just turn out to be stupid, bored kids going a little crazy.

Changing things requires activity.  It requires getting out of your house, talking to people, getting to know the police, your city officials, your county and state representatives, your neighbors.   It requires more than sitting in your house, logging into an internet chatroom that is all but dead and complaining with the other 5 people here who are doing the same thing.

Language is only one thing.  If you really want to stop the barrier, what's wrong with you learning Spanish?  It's America and we speak English here?  Well again, we don't have a national language so no one is required to speak a certain one.  Businesses here and around the country cater to Spanish-speaking clientele with bilingual signs and employees, and nothing is holding you back from doing the same thing, except you.

Most of the children at your church, I would wager to say, are bilingual.  You could easily approach one of them and introduce yourself, ask them to introduce you to their parents, if you feel like you must go that route, but I'd also wager to say that the adults speak more English than you think, and you shouldn't let an accent get in your way.

If people in this country and this city want to get along, you have to do more than wait for the other side to do something and complain about them when they don't.  I mean, you might end up heading up a bilingual class at your church with a new friend you met, where the English speaking parishioners can learn Spanish and vice versa!  Wouldn't that be cool? 

I'm not here to start trouble, I'm here because honestly I thought more people here would be contributing to discussions and see if there was something I could get involved in [in an offline sense].  I see there aren't and isn't, but I'm not going to pull out and just watch all this racist rhetoric be passed back and forth without at least saying something to the participants who are here.

Not every black or Mexican person thinks you are out to get them.  Do you think all men are out to get you because you are a woman?  I'm hopeful that you don't.  But I do know for sure, not every single minority in the country thinks you are racist and out to get them simply because you are a different colour than they are.  That's not really the way this works and to cut it so dry as that is to do a disservice to the issue.

To think that everyone will read all of this is also folly, so I will close here!  Be well!

-p

Wow, I never expected my initial post tO draw this many responses and views. Glad to see there are many who agree with me, and a few who disagree, but know how to debate without too much mud slinging.

But, alas, there are always those who come late to the party and want to spout lies and go over things that have been beat to death already. Just ignore them, and hopefully they will go away.

-- Edited by S23246G at 16:12, 2008-04-02